When a safeguarding concern is reported, the safeguarding team will make a decision on whether a safeguarding enquiry is required to establish whether any action is needed to keep the person safe.  

If the enquiry finds that action is needed, then a safeguarding plan will be put in place. 

Chapter 14 in the Care and support statutory guidance (GOV.UK) sets out the safeguarding responsibilities of local services who must work together to safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live.  

The Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (see below) has developed policies and procedures which set out how local agencies should respond to safeguarding concerns. 

View the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board policies, procedures and guidance.

The Adult Safeguarding Team will contact you to ask about the concern and what you would like to happen.

They will ask who you would like to be involved, whether you have support or whether you need an independent advocate to help you explain what you want to happen. Further information on advocacy is available on the Someone to speak up for you (advocacy) page.

You will be told whether a safeguarding enquiry will be undertaken and if so, what will happen next. 

The Adult Safeguarding Team will contact you to ask you about your concerns.

The team will need to establish whether the person you are concerned about is able to make a decision about what they would like to happen or whether they need somebody to support them.

If you tell us that you are worried about someone being abused, you may not always be told all the details of what action is taken. This is because the council has a duty to keep information about people safe. 

If you have reported a safeguarding concern and you have not been told what is happening, please phone the safeguarding team on 01905 843189.  

You can ask to speak to a manager if you are unhappy with the response you receive.

If a safeguarding concern has been reported regarding harm or abuse that you are alleged to have caused a safeguarding enquiry may be undertaken. The safeguarding enquiry will about looking at the facts and not making judgements about you. You will be asked for your views on what happened. The purpose of the enquiry is to look at what actions are required to keep the person with care and support needs safe. You will be told when the enquiry is complete and can contact the Safeguarding Team on 01905 843189 if you have any questions or concerns.

We would normally expect you to contact your care provider to discuss your concerns in the first instance as each care provider has their own complaints process. 

If you are not satisfied with the response from the care provider or you do not wish to complain directly to your care provider you can submit a comment, compliment or complaint to Worcestershire County Council. 

Find out more about quality assurance in adult social care.